Emma RichardsSwansea University | SWAN · Centre for Innovative Ageing "CIA"
Emma Richards
BSc (Hons) MSc open Psych PGCE (PcET) PhD
About
12
Publications
6,264
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
127
Citations
Introduction
My PhD was an innovative study aiming to improve the characterisation of vascular-related cognitive impairment compared to healthy ageing, with respect to signs & symptoms. I investigated changes in brain function in vascular-related cognitive impairment to better determine when it presents in the early stages of vascular dementia, using computer and iPad-based tests testing vision, attention, executive function, processing speed and accuracy. Many thanks to Brace for funding this research
Additional affiliations
October 2012 - November 2014
Education
October 2014 - January 2020
September 2011 - June 2013
March 2001 - December 2003
Publications
Publications (12)
Background
Reaction time (RT) in Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) is particularly slowed when assessed using tests of executive function, however, these tests do not reveal the integrity of specific functional subcomponents of information processing related to RT that are affected by VCI, thus limiting understanding of behavioural change, sympto...
Background
The study of reaction time (RT) and its intraindividual variability (IIV) in aging, cognitive impairment, and dementia typically fails to investigate the processing stages that contribute to an overall response. Applying “mental chronometry” techniques makes it possible to separately assess the role of processing components during enviro...
We used the MILO (Multi-Item Localization) task to characterise the performance of a group of older adults diagnosed with mild to moderate vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The MILO task is designed to explore the temporal context of visual search and in addition to measuring overall completion time, provides a profile of serial reaction time (S...
Information processing speed (Reaction time, RT) to a single administration of the Trails A and Trails B components of the Trail Making Test (TMT) is used in the assessment of brain and behavioural functional integrity across the lifespan in both clinical and research contexts. Although the clinical utility of such single trial-related and thus rap...
Background
To improve the characterisation and the understanding of VCI by examining reaction time (RT), the intra individual variability of RT (IIV), errors, practice, the effects of processing load (e.g. the influence of distracting information) and the effects of hesitancy in cognitively healthy (CH) ageing compared to patients with Subcortical...
We used the MILO (Multi-Item Localization) task to characterise the performance of a group of older adults diagnosed with mild to moderate vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The MILO task is designed to explore the temporal context of visual search and in addition to measuring overall completion time, provides a profile of serial reaction time (S...
Age-related decline in information processing can have a substantial impact on activities such as driving. However, the assessment of these changes is often carried out using cognitive tasks that do not adequately represent the dynamic process of updating environmental stimuli. Equally, traditional tests are often static in their approach to task c...
Slowed behavioral reaction time is associated with pathological brain changes, including white matter lesions, the common clinical characteristic of subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI). In the present study, reaction time (RT) employing Trails B of the Trail Making Test, with responses capped at 300 s, was investigated in SIV...
In this study, reaction time (RT), intraindividual variability (IIV), and errors, and the effects of practice and processing load upon such function, were compared in patients with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI) [n = 27] and cognitively healthy older adults (CH) [n = 26]. Compared to CH aging, SIVCI was characterized by...
This consensus statement reflects the deliberations of an international group of stakeholders with a range of expertise in public involvement and engagement (PI&E) relating to data-intensive health research. It sets out eight key principles to establish a secure role for PI&E in and with the research community internationally and ensure best practi...
Attention problems and slower processing speeds are often associated with older people. Some studies have shown that this is more pronounced in people who have vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). People with VCI perform worse on certain tasks compared to healthy older adults and those with Alzheimer’s disease; such tasks involve attention and proc...
Questions
Questions (9)
I am interested in learning more about interpreting white matter changes, cerebral small vessel disease, cerebral infarcts etc on MRI scans and CT scans. I have seen some resources from the university of Glasgow, but I was wondering if there are any other resources out there, or any courses? Thanks.
Other than differences caused by stroke, would cognitive function (and other symptoms) differ in a group that includes all types of VCI compared to those that have a very specific type subcortical ischaemic vascular cognitive impairment
Im looking for papers to confirm if motor processing is impaired in vascular cognitive impairment.
If motor speed is impaired does this mean motor processing is impaired?
Thanks
Can anyone suggest any research where errors were not corrected on the trail making test? thank you
Are there any advantages and disadvantages of not correcting participants?
Apart from the trails test can anyone suggest tests that are done to check someone’s processing speed in dementia patients please.
I have asked SPSS for the descriptive statistics using analyse, descriptives, explore as I need the median, and interquartile range. I have over 200 variables that I want to get this for individually so I can create a new data set.
In the explore box I move across 1 variable at a time to the dependants list, (I do not add any other information to the other boxes,) I get for example:
Descriptives
Mean 704.31
Median 670.50
Interquartile Range 252
However, as this would take forever, I add the variables approx 50 at a time, ( and can still get the results for the individual variables. I get the following as the result of the same variable.
Mean 699.75
Median 715
Interquartile range 237
This should give me the same results for this one variable surely, or is something going on that I am unaware of?
Thank you
I am examining the brain scans of patients with vascular dementia, and would like to grade them depending on severity. I will look at routinely taken scans (mostly CT scans) done by the NHS. I have decided to use the Faseka's scale and age related white matter rating scale.
There will be 3 raters and we would all like to get the same level of training, for inter rater reliability.
Can you please suggest such training programmes, preferably online?
Thank you
I am looking for a short measure of cognitive reserve to include in my research on vascular cognitive impairment and reaction time and attention.
I have found the cognitive reserve index questionnaire which is tested on older and younger healthy adults, and briefly suggests it can be used by relatives for people who have dementia. Is this a good valid measure? I am not sure everyone who will come to my study will bring a relative, and also if the cognitive impairment is mild if they could answer for themselves.
Can anyone suggest other validated questionnaires I could use in its place?
Or are general tests for dementia administered such as the MMSE and MoCA? I am interested in all tests that measure cognitive function, but particularly visual attention.
